In an effort to woo voters,the state government has decided against increasing the prices of milk this year. Milkfed Punjab has no plans to hike the prices of milk and milk products including cheese,ghee and butter for the coming fiscal. However,private dairy owners in the state are toying with the idea of increasing the price by Re 1 a litre in April.

G S Oberoi,president,Tajpur Road Dairy Association said,We have nothing to do with the elections. The cattle feed has become costlier and we are left with no other option but to increase the price.”

Milkfed,which sells milk under the brand name Verka,have revised the prices of milk with 6 per cent fat in Gurdaspur by Re 1 a litre. The milk was earlier available at Rs 24 per litre. Milkfed authorities revealed there was less procurement of milk in the area as a result of which expenses were not being met. Milkfed manging director VK Singh categorically stated that they have no plans to hike the prices in the rest of the state at the moment. Ajmer Singh,Chairman,Ludhiana Verka Milk Plant said,”We can do without price hike this time.”